Top 5 Reasons to Choose RFID

At InformaTrac, we are big proponents of using technology such as barcode and RFID to improve efficiencies and increase accuracy. Since we are always getting questions relating to how RFID is better when compared to barcodes, we’ve developed our top 5 reasons to choose RFID.

1. Speed

RFID readers are not limited to scanning one tag at a time like barcode readers do. Most RFID readers provides the ability to read hundreds of tags simultaneously. Where scanning hundreds or thousands of barcodes could take hours or days, RFID readers can scan thousands of tags in just seconds.

2. Line of Sight

RFID readers have the ability to read tags without the need to see them. Easily read tags that are dirty, in dark environments or in some cases, through walls or around obstructions with RFID.

3. Tag Orientation/Placement

RFID tag placement allows for a lot of flexibility vs a barcode. Since there isn’t a line of sight requirement, tags do not all have to be facing the front. For convenience and flexibility tags are often embedded into some kind of human readable label, but this isn’t always required. Some environments benefit from very small tags that can be oriented around a product or package.

4. Environment

RFID tags come in a wide variety of form factors to provide functionality in some of the more extreme environments. In nearly all of these cases, the wiring of the RFID tag is safely protected in one of many protective casings designed for the specific environmental conditions. Regardless of your harsh environment, there’s a good chance that there’s already an RFID tag designed to withstand it (temperature, sunlight, water, etc.)

5. Range

Using radio signals allows RFID tags to be read at long distances In areas with limited or no obstructions there are a lot of reader/antenna/tag combinations that easily have the ability to read at distances of more than 100 meters.

RFID is a rapidly growing technology and is emerging into more applications every day. But don’t use this list to rule out barcodes. Most of the more efficient solutions will easily integrate both technologies in the same system.

In addition to choosing the right RFID/Barcode equipment, be sure to review and understand the software requirements of the system. By implementing a complete RFID solution with strategically placed RFID readers and the leading software you can free your staff from the burden of scanning and automate the entire location management, alarming and process management.

The experienced staff at InformaTrac will be more than glad to provide you with a free consultation to answer any questions you may have and help design a solution that’s right for you. Feel free to call at (866) 619-7411 or click here for more information.